Back to slavery

It was a clear crisp morning. Like every morning, I got up, just to take a little timeout for myself before I started my day. I went up to the window and took a deep breath. I just love the smell of the sea and hearing the fishermen calling out to each other. When the sun started peaking over the sea, I turned around to start my day. Going to the kitchen, I saw my dad putting on a coat and walking towards the door. “Don’t go anywhere, I'll be back before dinner. While I’m out, pack your stuff.” and he left. Stunned, I turned back around and packed what little I had. It was rare to have the hut to myself. I decided to take advantage and go out by the sea and do a little fishing for dinner tonight. I grabbed my fishing gear and set out. I figured at least for a little while it would keep my mind off of what my dad was doing. Later that night, my father finally came home in time for supper. “Come, let’s eat.” After supper, I started to clean up. “Did you pack?” “Yes father” “Good, it’s time I told you. You are not my child”, putting a hand up, he stopped me before I could ask any question. “I know what you are about to say but, your mother was already pregnant with you when we were married. Now that she is dead, I can finally wash my hands of you and get on with my life. I can’t do this anymore; it hurts too much looking at you and knowing that you are alive and that my own baby is dead.” I just looked at him in shock. It wasn't my fault that my mom and baby brother died. Before I could say anything, there was a knock at the door. “Get that it’s for you” With that he walked away, never looking back. Stunned and confused, I opened the door to see two men. “Are you Samar-Lynn?” “Yes” “Good” Spying her bag, one of the men walks in and picks it up and gently grabs her arm and leads her to the carriage. “Wait what is going on.” Struggling to get out of his hands, I started calling for my father. The man puts my stuff in the carriage, turns and shakes me a little. “Stop it. It will get much easier if you stop fighting it. Now get in and let's go.” Knowing that I didn’t have a choice, I got in and tried to sit as far away as possible, silently crying myself to sleep. “They just keep getting younger and younger, don’t they?” “Yeah, they do, so what’s her story?’ “Her dad,” “Ouch” The carriage stopping jerked me out of my sleep. “Welcome to your new home.” Wiping the tears out of my eyes, I stepped down from the carriage with the help of the man. Walking up to the door, the second man knocks on it. “Well, well, well what do we have here?” the man asks as he gives me a once over. Come on in, it’s too cold to stand out here, you know where to take her, we will talk in the morning.” We walked at a brisk pace. I tried to look at my surroundings, but we were moving so fast that I could only catch a glimpse here and there. Reaching the end of the hallway, we got to a small room with a bed and a dresser, a window to one side. “Get undressed and put this on.” The man hands me a nightgown and then leaves. I quickly put it on and got into bed. Surprisingly, sleep took me quickly. The next day, I am jarred awake by a gruff voice from the same man who opened the door last night. “Get up; get dressed, the mistress of the house will see you now.’ Putting on the same clothing from the day before, I walked with the man down the hallway and into another room. Without knocking, he opens the door and ushers me in. “OK, let’s see what we are working with, take your clothes off.” Shaking my head. I slowly backed up to the door but the man was there blocking me, pushing me back to the lady. She smacked me across my face. “Don’t make me say it again or next time it will be worse. Now take your clothes off.” Not looking at anyone, I slowly took my clothes off, hanging my head in shame. The mistress looks me over with a critical eye, putting her hand to her chin as she walks around me. “This is what she needs; a bath, scrub her down, make sure there are no bugs on her, shave her all over our clients like them clean and tidy, trim her hair about an inch. Next, take her to the Dr. so he can examine her, we don’t need any more surprises like last time.’ Glaring at the man, she leaves. Getting into the carriage, we left. No one said anything to me, and I am glad. We get to the Dr’s and are quickly let into a room. A lady comes in and tells me to get undressed. Shakily, I started to get to get undressed; when I was done undressing, the girl circled around me looking me up and down. “Now get on the bed so the Dr. can have a look at you” Slowly I climbed on the bed and this old bald man came in. I tried to cover myself up but the Dr moved the sheets to where he needed them. “Now don’t worry, it’s not going to hurt. I just need you to lay back and relax. It will be over soon. Now open your legs.” Before I know it, the exam is over and I am told to put my clothes back on. He turned to the man and told him that I have never been touched, with that he left. Back at the manor, the man tells the mistress what the Dr says. With a gleam in her eye, she smiled. “Don’t cry”, she said. “We are going to take care of you. It is only natural to be scared because you don’t know what to expect, but after a while you will come to enjoy it. Now go back to your room until we get you.” Shaking, I turned and headed back to my room.